View source for P'ent'ay

{{Short description|Endonym used to refer to Protestant groups in Ethiopia and Eritrea}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = ''P'ent'ay'' (ጴንጤ) <br/> ''Wenigēlawī'' (ወንጌላዊ)
| image = Ecfelogo.gif
| imagewidth = 113
| members = ~16,500,000
| type = [[Eastern Christianity]]
| main_classification = [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Eastern Protestant Christian]]
| orientation = [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], [[Baptists|Baptist]], [[Mennonite]], [[Anglicanism|Anglican]], [[Adventism|Adventist]], [[Holiness movement|Holiness]], [[Methodism|Methodist]], [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]
| polity = [[Congregationalist polity|Congregationalist]] and [[Presbyterian polity|Presbyterian]]
| language = [[Oromo language|Oromo]], [[Amharic]], [[Sidama language|Sidama]], [[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]], and Ethiopian-Eritrean diaspora vernacular languages
| area = Ethiopia, Eritrea, United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Israel, Kenya, Australia, and other parts of the Ethiopian–Eritrean diaspora 
| website= [http://www.ecfethiopia.org/index.htm Official ECFE website (english) ]
| other_names= Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Eritrean Evangelical Church, Ethiopian Evangelicalism, Eritrean Evangelicalism
|founded_date=19th–20th centuries|founder=[[Peter Heyling]]}}
{{Christianity}}
'''P'ent'ay''' (from [[Geʽez]]: {{lang|gez|ጴንጤ}} {{transliteration|gez|P̣enṭe}}) is an originally [[Amharic]]–[[Tigrinya language|Tigrinya]] language term for [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] [[Christians]]. Today, the term refers to all [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Protestant]] denominations and organisations in [[Ethiopia|Ethiopian]] and [[Eritrea|Eritrean]] societies. Alternative terms include '''Ethiopian–Eritrean Evangelicalism''' or the '''Ethiopian–Eritrean Evangelical Church'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Antsokia Ethiopian Evangelical Church|url=https://www.antsokia.net/index.php/contact-us|access-date=21 September 2020|website=www.antsokia.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About the Evangelical Theological College|url=https://etcollege.org/about-us/|access-date=21 September 2020|website=Evangelical Theological College|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=International Ethiopian Evangelical Church|url=https://www.eecdc.org/index.cfm?id=135|access-date=21 September 2020|website=International Ethiopian Evangelical Church}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Evangelical Church Fellowship of Ethiopia|url=http://www.ecfethiopia.org/index.htm|access-date=21 September 2020|website=www.ecfethiopia.org}}</ref> Sometimes the denominations and organizations are known as '''Wenigēlawī''' (from [[Geʽez]]: {{lang|gez|ወንጌላዊ}} {{transliteration|gez|wängelawi}} "evangelical").

Evangelical Christianity was originally introduced by American and European Protestant [[missionary work]], which began in the 19th century among various peoples, including Christians [[Schism in Christianity|schismed]] from the [[Orthodox Tewahedo]] church,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Ethiopian Culture – Religion |url=http://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/ethiopian-culture/ethiopian-culture-religion |access-date=2 December 2020 |website=Cultural Atlas |language=en}}</ref> other [[Christian denomination|branches]] of Christianity, or converted from non-Christian religions or traditional faith practices. Since the creation of P'ent'ay churches and organisations, prominent movements among them have been Pentecostalism, the [[Baptists|Baptist]] tradition, [[Lutheranism]], [[Methodism]], [[Presbyterianism]], the [[Mennonites]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Current Influences and connections of western and Ethiopian churches|url=http://www.worldmap.org/maps/other/profiles/ethiopia/ET.pdf|access-date=22 March 2016|website=worldmap.org}}</ref> and the [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Eastern-oriented Protestant Christians]] within [[Ethiopia]] and [[Eritrea]] and the Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2019 |title=The peace-making Pentecostal |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/opinion/the-peace-making-pentecostal/,%20https://www.eternitynews.com.au/opinion/the-peace-making-pentecostal/ |access-date=21 September 2020 |website=www.eternitynews.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Jack |title=Ethiopia Grants Autonomy to Evangelical Heartland |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/december/sidama-referendum-ethiopia-evangelicals-hawassa-snnpr.html |access-date=2 December 2020 |website=News & Reporting |language=en}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The term was coined in the late 1960s and was used as a pejorative for churches that believed in the [[Pentecost]]al experience and [[spiritual gift]]s of the Holy Spirit,<ref name=":1" /> used to describe local Protestant [[Christianity in Ethiopia|Christians]] who are not members of the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo]] and [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo]] churches (collectively known as the [[Orthodox Tewahedo]]).

The term ''P'ent'ay'' is derived from "Pentecostal"; however, it has since become a general shorthand referring to not only [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Protestants]] but all Protestant denomination christians, whether they are self-identified as Pentecostal or not.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmap.org/maps/other/profiles/ethiopia/ET.pdf |title=Pente: name used by Orthodox Christian to label Ethiopian Protestant Christians |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Some Orthodox Ethiopians will even apply the term to the small [[Ethiopian Catholic Church|Catholic]] population of Ethiopia and Eritrea (but this is rare).

The equivalent rendition in many other languages is "Evangelical"; the term ''Wenigēlawī'' means "Evangelical" and has been used alongside ''P'ent'ay''. Many of these groups describe their religious practices as culturally [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Christian]], but Protestant Evangelical by doctrine.<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284028234 "Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Ethiopia: A Historical Introduction to a Largely Unexplored Movement"]. ''ResearchGate''.</ref>

==Denominations==
The major Protestant denominations in Ethiopia and Eritrea are a group of indigenous, closely linked (part of the {{Langx|am|አብያተ ክርስቲያናት|translit='Abiate kristianat' – 'ābiyate kirisitīyanati'}}{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} or community of churches) [[Baptists|Baptist]], [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], and [[Mennonites|Mennonite]] denominations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 2004|title=Eritrea Report|url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/92000/afr640032004en.pdf|publisher=Amnesty International|id=AI Index: AFR 64/003/2004|pages=13–17}}</ref>

=== Primary denominations ===

*The [[Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church|Ethiopian Kale Heywet (Word of Life) Church]], a [[Charismatic movement|charismatic]] Evangelical Protestant denomination with Pentecostal and Baptist roots. It is associated with the [[SIM (Christian organization)|Sudan Interior Mission]], an interdenominational organization, and has an Eritrean branch.
*The [[Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus|Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (Place of Jesus)]], a Lutheran denomination which includes a [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]-leaning synod. The Eritrean Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is the Eritrean Lutheran branch of this Evangelical Protestant denomination. The Ethiopian Lutheran denomination is the largest non-united Lutheran Christian denomination in the world (see [[list of Christian denominations by number of members]]).
*The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea]], a Lutheran denomination which joined the [[Lutheran World Federation]] in 1963.
*The [[Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers' Church]], a Pentecostal denomination with Mennonite influence.
*The [[Meserete Kristos Church|Meserete Kristos (Christ Foundation) Church]], a Mennonite denomination with Pentecostal influence.
*[[Christian Brethren]]

Some P'ent'ay communities—especially the Mekane Yesus Lutheran Church for example—have been influenced by the Orthodox Tewahedo churches, which represents the dominant traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean Christian demographic, but for the most part are very Pentecostal in their worship and theology.

==== Other denominations ====
* Ammanuel Baptist Church 
* Misgana Church of Ethiopia
*[[Assemblies of God]] –  Pentecostal
* Hiwot Berhan Church (Light of Life Church)
* Emnet Kristos
* Berhane Wongel – Gospel Light 
* [[Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church]]
* Evangelical Church of Eritrea
* Lutheran Church of Eritrea
* Middle East General Mission
*[[Seventh-day Adventist Church]]<ref>World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001 edition, Volume 1, page 263</ref>
* [[Anglicanism]] is represented in Ethiopia and Eritrea by the [[Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East]] and [[Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria|Episcopal Anglican Province of Alexandria]]; Ethiopia and Eritrea are both part of the [[Anglican Diocese of Egypt|Diocese of Egypt]], which also includes other countries in the [[Horn of Africa]] as well as the North Africa region. There are two Episcopal churches in Ethiopia, one is in [[Addis Ababa]] and the other in [[Gambela, Ethiopia|Gambela]], while in Eritrea there are no officially operated congregations at this time.<ref>[http://anglicansonline.org/world/africa.html Anglicans Online: Africa]. Accessed 7 January 2010.</ref>

===Unity and the ECFE===
The ECFE, or Evangelical Church Fellowship of Ethiopia, is a consortium of [[Born again|born-again]], [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] Christians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51472.htm|title=ECFE and non-ecfe church listings|date=9 June 2005|publisher=State.gov|access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> The ECFE has 22 member churches, and based on 2004 statistics, 11.5 million members.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://atheism.about.com/library/irf/irf04/blirf_ethiopia.htm |title=Evangelical church fellowship in 2004 |access-date=3 February 2007 |archive-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029165541/http://atheism.about.com/library/irf/irf04/blirf_ethiopia.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> All P'ent'ay churches, regardless of denomination, are domestically known as አብያተ ክርስቲያናት ('''Abiate kristianat' '''or ābiyate kirisitīyanati'){{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} meaning 'churches' in the senses of a 'community of Christians' in Amharic, the official working federal language of Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=AfricaNews|date=4 March 2020|title=One to five: Ethiopia gets four new federal working languages|url=https://www.africanews.com/2020/03/04/one-to-five-ethiopia-gets-four-new-federal-working-languages/|access-date=15 December 2020|website=Africanews|language=en}}</ref> Most of these denominations also operate ministries, colleges and bible societies like the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, Golden Oil Ministries, Evangelical Theological College, the Ethiopian Bible Society and Meserete Kristos College.<ref>[http://www.globalgoodnews.org/Churches_in_Ethiopia.htm ECFE churches and services] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812131759/http://www.globalgoodnews.org/Churches_in_Ethiopia.htm|date=12 August 2007}}</ref> These churches often work together by exchanging preachers and organizing church conferences.

=== Statistics ===
According to the 2005 statistics from the [[World Christian Encyclopedia|World Christian Database]], Ethiopian Pentecostal/Charismatic members cover a bit over 16 percent of the country as P'ent'ays of Ethiopia. The individual groups are the Word of Life Church (Kale Heywet) Church, Mekane Yesus, Churches of Christ, Misgana Church of Ethiopia, Assembly of God, Hiwot Berhan Church, Emnet Kristos, Meserete Kristos, Light of Life Church, Mulu Wongel (Full Gospel Believers Church) and other churches constituting slightly over 12 million P'ent'ays in Ethiopia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldchristiandatabase.org/wcd|title=A comprehensive statistical information on world religions, Christian denominations and people groups|publisher=Worldchristiandatabase.org|access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> However, according to World Christian Encyclopedia, the Evangelical Protestant community is down to only 13.6% of Ethiopian population.<ref>[http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Ethiopia/rbodies.html World Christian Encyclopedia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829055949/http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Ethiopia/rbodies.html|date=29 August 2006}}</ref><ref>World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001, Oxford University Press. Vol 1: p 266</ref> According to the 1994 government census, Protestant Christians comprise 10% of the population (about 7–8 million today).<ref>Berhanu Abegaz, [http://bxabeg.people.wm.edu/Ethiopia.Census%20Portrait.pdf Ethiopia: A Model Nation of Minorities] (accessed 22 March 2006)</ref> According to membership and adherent records provided by the various churches and denominations, Ethiopian Protestants claim as high as 18.59% of the country's population which is inline with the recent data from the US Department of State.<ref name="state1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmap.org/maps/other/profiles/ethiopia/ET.pdf|title=Ethiopian protestants claim as high as 18.59% of population|access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

==Beliefs==
Evangelicals in Ethiopia and Eritrea believe that one is saved by believing in Jesus as Lord and Saviour for the forgiveness of sins. They believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the one essence of the [[Trinity]]. Like all other Christian groups that accept the [[Gospel|canonical gospels]], P'ent'ays also believe in being "[[born again]]" (''dagem meweled''), as it is written numerous times in the [[Gospel of John]], and demonstrated by one's [[baptism]] in the Holy Spirit as well as water baptism. [[Glossolalia|Speaking in tongues]] is seen as one of the signs, but not the only sign, of "receiving Christ", which should include a new lifestyle and social behavior.

Although almost all Evangelical Protestant branches in Ethiopia and Eritrea have one or two theological differences or different approaches in the interpretation of the Bible, all of the four major branches follow the beliefs common to born-again Christians. The four major denominations also exchange pastors (''megabi'') and allow the preachers to serve in different churches when invited ([[full communion]]). All of the four main churches and others also share and listen to various gospel singers, ''mezmur'' (gospel music or [[hymn]]) producers and choirs.

==History==
[[Peter Heyling]] was the first Protestant missionary in Ethiopia,<ref>Otto F. A. Meinardus, ''Christians in Egypt : Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Communities Past and Present'' (American University of Cairo Press, 2005), pp. 100ff.</ref> and is regarded{{by whom|date=April 2021}} as the founding father of the P'ent'ay or Wenigēlawī movement.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

For the most part, Ethiopian and Eritrean Protestants state that their form of Christianity is both the reformation of the current Orthodox Tewahedo churches as well as the restoration of it to the original Ethiopian Christianity. They believe Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity was paganized after the 960s, during the reign of queen [[Gudit]], who destroyed and burned most of the church's possessions and scriptures.<ref>Paul B. Henze, ''Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia'' (New York: Palgrave, 2000) p. 48</ref> They claim those events have led to the gradual paganization of the [[Oriental Orthodox Churches]] which they say is now merely dominated by rituals, [[hearsay]] and [[fable]]s.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 June 2000|title=Evangelicals say Orthodox focused on "outward piety"|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0608/p17s1.html|access-date=22 March 2016|publisher=Csmonitor.com}}</ref> P'ent'ay Christians use the alleged "secularized teaching" of the current Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox churches, the alleged inability of most Orthodox followers to live according to the instructions of the Bible and the [[deuterocanonical books]] used by rural priests, as a proof to their belief in the Orthodox Tewahedo teaching is also mainly syncretized. P'ent'ay Christians use the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity prior to the 1960s as their own history, despite lacking historical continuity.

It was only during the early 20th century that American and European missionaries spread Protestantism with Mennonite and Pentecostal churches through the [[Sudan Interior Mission]] (SIM).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bryan|first=Jack|title=Is the World's Next Missions Movement in Ethiopia?|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/july-august/ethiopia-missions.html|access-date=2 December 2020|website=ChristianityToday.com|language=en}}</ref> When the SIM continued its movement after a brief ban during Ethiopia's war with Italy, it is written that the missionaries were taken aback by the fruits of their initial mission. Protestant Christians still face persecution in rural regions and are assisted by the [[Voice of the Martyrs]];<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Koh|first=Lyndsey|title=Ethiopia may not be the Christian safe haven it has been|url=https://www.mnnonline.org/news/ethiopia-may-not-be-the-christian-safe-haven-it-has-been/|access-date=2 December 2020|website=Mission Network News|language=en-US}}</ref> however, there is a growing tolerance between the Ethiopian Orthodox, [[Islam in Ethiopia|Muslims]] and the growing population of P'en'tay Christians in the urban areas of the country. With the dominance of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo and the growing Muslim population, the population of P'en'tay Christians was estimated around 16.15 million (19 percent of total population), according to the information released by the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]].<ref name="state1">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=208148#wrapper |title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2014 |publisher=State.gov |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

== Obstacles ==
===Confusion with non-affiliates===
Recent misidentification of certain groups as ''P'ent'ay'' has caused confusion. One controversy involves [[Oneness Pentecostalism]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], which are strictly opposed by the other Protestant denominations.

The [[Metropolis (religious jurisdiction)|metropolitan]] ''[[sui iuris]]'' [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]] [[particular church]]es of the [[Eritrean Catholic Church]] and [[Ethiopian Catholic Church]] are not ''P'ent'ay (Evangelical Protestant)'' churches but some [[Orthodox Tewahedo]] adherents have used the term P'ent'ay as a pejorative by conflating and 'othering' them with P'ent'ay (Evangelical Protestants)''.''<ref name=":0" />

===Persecution===
According to [[Voice of the Martyrs]] there have been brutal killings of P'ent'ay Christians in rural areas that tend to be overlooked by the Ethiopian rural officials and stay undisclosed to international organizations. Some Oriental Orthodox families expel children out of their house if the children convert to Protestantism. Since the majority population is Orthodox, Voice of the Martyrs claims no criminal investigations are carried out against Oriental Orthodox mobs who burn Evangelical churches, destroy houses and even murder P'ent'ay Christians.

Voice of the Martyrs also states that Evangelical Christians have been murdered by [[Islamic terrorism|Islamic militants]] because they wouldn't renounce their faith in Christ. Islamic militants have stopped at least one bus (near [[Jijiga]], a rural area) and demanded Christians recite the [[Shahada|Islamic creed]], killing those who refuse. The mostly rural churches like Kale Heywet have historically faced persecution with aggressors often doing so with impunity. During the previous 1970s and 1980s government, persecution was equally severe in the urban cities as well, with the likes of Mulu Wongel church (Full Gospel) and Mesereke Kristos Church facing widespread persecution and mass imprisonments and killings. Lacking western ties, the Mulu Wongel church was outlawed by the [[Derg]] Ethiopian government.

More persecution followed Ethiopian Protestants for more than a decade. However, after a change of government, religious equality including the right to worship, build churches and evangelize were restored. Minor and rural issues still exist. Despite these issues, compared to the past, the 1990s have brought the most freedom of religion in Ethiopia. Most of the Evangelical churches, especially Mulu Wongel, Assemblies of God, and Kale Heywet, faced persecution and detentions by previous governments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-1/119467904282650.xml&coll=6 |title=religious leaders jailed and some disappeared during 1980s government |publisher=Mlive.com |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> The state sponsored persecution of Protestants by the 1980s government created what some scholars call an "invisible church" and an underground evangelism where the membership of these churches drastically increased despite this era of persecution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-1/119467904282650.xml&coll=6 |title=Evangelical and protestant population explosion during 1980s communist government |publisher=Mlive.com |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-1/119467904282650.xml&coll=6 |title=1980s government attempt to "eliminate evangelical Christianity" helped evangelical growth |publisher=Mlive.com |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

Since the early 1990s, persecution has mostly ceased, particularly in the cities and areas near the cities, and there is a growing level of tolerance between Evangelical Christians and other religious groups. The ruling party however established a Faith and Religious Affairs Directorate (similar to those in China) to issue licenses, to demand loyalty, and to infiltrate hierarchies of Christian and Islamic institutions. Even though it is not comparable to the state sponsored persecution of the past, P'ent'ay Christians in Ethiopia still face persecution from private citizens in Muslim dominated rural areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0608/p17s1.html |title=Freedom of religion improved 1995, but private citizen abuse remains |publisher=Csmonitor.com |date=8 June 2000 |access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Despite Ethiopia's well-known religious tolerance, culture related acceptance issues and the growth of some Evangelical churches have also led to some violence, especially as non-Orthodox Christians and Muslims seek to gain equal economic and social status as the traditionally privileged Orthodox Christians.

New challenges Christians face in Ethiopia include the [[Islamic fundamentalism]] movement mostly coming from radical Islamist organizations or followers of an extreme form of [[Wahhabist]] Islam coming from Saudi Arabia-linked Muslim Non-governmental organizations and projects.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ethiopia's Increasing Vulnerability to Islamic Extremism and What That Means for the Horn of Africa|url=https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/11/17/ethiopias-increasing-vulnerability-to-islamic-extremism-and-what-that-means-for-the-horn-of-africa|access-date=11 December 2020|website=Religion Unplugged|language=en-US}}</ref> In Eritrea, [[torture]] is used against Protestant Christians, more than 2000 Christians are subject to arrest (2006).<ref name="Open Doors International">{{cite web|title=Open Doors International|url=http://sb.od.org/index.php?supp_page=wwl_deteriorated&supp_lang=en&PHPSESSID=32106507f5331659725a|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201947/http://sb.od.org/index.php?supp_page=wwl_deteriorated&supp_lang=en&PHPSESSID=32106507f5331659725a|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> The U. S. state department names it a Country of Particular Concern due to its violation of [[religious liberty]].<ref name="Open Doors International"/> It has been reported that entire families are thrown into jail.<ref>{{cite web|title=ADVOCATING FOR PERSECUTED EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN ERITREA|url=http://eritreanchristians.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926220845/http://eritreanchristians.com/|archive-date=26 September 2007}}</ref> According to the [[Barnabas Fund]], in April 2010 a 28-year-old student died after she was held in a metal shipping container for 2 years, after being arrested for attending a Bible study.

== Hymns ==
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2020}}
Music, more technically speaking "hymns" or "psalms" (''Mezmur'' — መዝሙር – in Amharic,{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} the official language of Ethiopia, and also in other Ethiopian-Eritrean languages as well) plays a big role in preaching and the daily life of P'ent'ay/Evangelical Christians. With the belief that music should be for God, and him alone, Ethiopian ''mezmur'' does not have ethnic or cultural boundaries, nor restriction on what style or instruments to use. However, there are apparent influences from American evangelicals that have led to commercialization and cross-overs. CD, cassette and DVD sales are now one of the rare Ethiopian industries on the rise.
===History of P'ent'ay music===
Even though some of the older generation of singers didn't have the financial means to make cassettes, they have influenced Ethiopian music in various ways while singing in local churches. Some of the early singers are Addisu Worku, Leggesse Watro, the Araya Family who used to sing on Misrach Dimts Radio.

Mekane Yesus Church led the way in translating hymnals from the Swedish and adapting from Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. In the early 1970s the Meserete Kristos Church Choir was established. Some from Tsion Choir from Mulu Wongel joined the newly established choir and Meserete Kristos continued developing songs in Ethiopian languages. During these early years, other groups like Bethel singers also produced Ethiopian gospel songs.

===Early comers===
Some of the early comers were Mulu Wongel and Meserete Kristos choirs, which now have up to Choir E and F, with each having 8, 9 albums. Some of these churches in other branch cities have stopped using single letters for choir names, and applied names instead. Other early comers Mekane Yesus church choir, Mulu Wengel church choir, Meserete Kristos church (MKC) choir arrived around the 1970s. Solo vocalists developed fast in these and other churches. Addisu Worku, Dereje Kebede, Tamrat Walba, Tesfaye Gabisso, Eyerusalem Teshome, Tamerate Haile, Tadesse Eshete, Gizachew Worku, Atalay Alem and Shewaye Damte fill in some of this list that started early.

===Modern===
Some of the late 20th century singers include Kalkidan Tilahun (Lily) of Qale Hiywet Church, Ahavah Gospel Singers, Dagmawi Tilahun (Dagi) of Mulu Wongel Church and Elias Abebe of the Assemblies of God church. Others are Awtaru Kebede, Sophia Shibabaw, Mesfin Gutu, Mihiret Itefa, Lealem Tilahun (Lali), Gezahegn Muse, Azeb Hailu and many more.<ref name="wikimezmur">{{cite web|url=http://www.wikimezmur.org|website=www.WikiMezmur.org|title=WikiMezmur|access-date=7 August 2014}}{{User-generated source|date=April 2020}}</ref> There are also singers who are pastors, some of them are Dawit Molalign, Kasshaun Lemma and Yohannes Girma. [[Oromo language]] singers like Kabaa Fidoo, Abbabaa Tamesgeen, Iyoob Yaadataa, Baacaa Bayyanaa, Magarsaa Baqqalaa, Dastaa Insarmuu, Bilisee Karrasaa, and others have also served Evangelical Churches in southwestern Ethiopia. In the Tigrinya language, there are singers like Yonas Haile, Mihret Gebretatios, Selam Hagos, Ruth Mekuria, Yemane Habte, and Adhanom Teklemariam and duos like Yonatan and Sosuna. Introducing new styles are young performers like Dawit "Danny" Wolde who studied at [[Berklee College of Music]].<ref>Mezmur 91,[http://www.mezmur91.com/index.html Psalm 91 Productions]</ref>

Classical and instrumental gospel songs have also flourished with Fikru Aligaz and Bethel Music Ministry. Also, Fikru Aligaz has been providing a three-day praise and worship service with the Bethel Praise & Worship Choir to reach local Christian and Non-Christian members of the community twice a year since 1998. Duos like Aster & Endalkachewu or Geta Yawkal & Berektawit bring more variety. Also, formerly secular singers like [[Hirut Bekele]], Solomon Disasa and Muluken have produced gospel songs after they convert and become born-again Christians. There are many music composers in P'ent'ay church like Christian Girma (currently living in Denver, Colorado), Ebenezer Girma, Enku Girma, Nathanael Befikadu, Biruk Bedru, Daniel Ewnetu, Bereket Tesfaye, Samson Tamrat, Yabets Tesema, Ameha Mekonen, Endalkachew Hawaz, Estifanos Mengistu, and there are countless church music players. Digital music composition is used and there are more than twenty Christian music studios in Ethiopia, including CMM, TDS, COMNS, Sami, Nati, Langanoo, Begena, Kinnei, Albastor, Shalom, Exodus, and Bethlehem.

There are also gospel singers who sing in Wolayta, Hadiya-Kambata, Sidama, and other areas of the South.

==== Modern musical controversy within the Church ====
Some of the most famous music players in Ethiopia like Elias Melka, played in Evangelical churches has subsequently converted to secular music. Some modern singers often mimic American Evangelical artists, allegedly including other lifestyles that are not genuine depictions of traditional Ethiopian Evangelicalism. The tradition of local church group choirs, has to an extent been supplanted by individual solo singers who have controversially gained celebrity status with their lifestyles often resembling secular celebrities.

==See also==
* [[Christianity in Eritrea]] 
* [[Protestantism in Ethiopia]]
* [[Religion in Eritrea]] 
* [[Religion in Ethiopia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Haustein, Jörg (2011). ''Writing Religious History: The Historiography of Ethiopian Pentecostalism'', Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
* Hege, Nathan B. (1998). ''Beyond Our Prayers: An Amazing Half Century of Church Growth in Ethiopia, 1948–1998''. Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press.
* Tibebe Eshete (2009). ''The Evangelical Movement in Ethiopia: Resistance and Resilience''. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.

==External links==
*[https://ecfe.org.et/ Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Ethiopia]

{{Africa in topic|Protestantism in}}
{{Eastern Protestants}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:P'ent'Ay}}
[[Category:Eastern Christianity in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Eastern Christianity in Eritrea]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism in Africa]]